The Navarrese Kern Pharma cyclist Enrique Sanz has announced this Thursday that he will hang up the bicycle at age 32 to end of this season. The cyclist himself confirmed this news through social networks with an extensive and emotional message full of thanks to those who have helped him grow as a cyclist.
Sanz gets off the bike after eleven seasons as a professional cyclist in which he has been active andn the ranks of Movistar, Wilier-Southeast, Raleigh GAC, Euskadi-Murias and the Kern Pharma Team and in which he has achieved eight victories as a professional, in addition to getting on the podium and touching it in other outstanding events of a day.
In the letter Sanz explains the reasons that led him to make this decision. “I hang up the bicycle with a smile and very grateful for all the values that this sport has instilled in me. This is a considered decision since mid-2020, valued since the beginning of the year, and taken in June, days after raising my arms in Portugal. The reason is motivational. I am happy training, especially competing, it is something that I love. But I had in mind for a while, another objective, and when the moment comes, the balance has fallen “.
The Navarrese also had a message of affection for AD Galibier, the structure in which he was trained and in which he has finished his career. “From the day I signed the contract with AD Galibier, to which I am very grateful, I knew that I was going to retire here. Although to be honest, maybe not so soon, but it is my decision. It has not been my best cycling with the team that taught me to be a cyclist, the Lizarte team, but at least I hope I have given young people a grain of sand that can serve them in the future. Good luck kids! “
Sanz also recognizes that he has had joys and hard times and that he would be a cyclist again. “My career has not been easy … it has had everything, critical moments and beautiful moments. I have learned from both, and I have had a lot of fun. I am very proud of how I have dealt with both the highs and the lows, thanks in part to the support of my family and friends. From cycling I take with me the best friends I have, they already know who they are. !If I were to be born again, I would be a cyclist again!
The cyclist also wanted to apologize to those with whom he had argued at some point in his career. “I come from Unzué roots and we are not characterized by being brief … First, I apologize to anyone who could have made me feel uncomfortable for any action or reaction of mine at the time. I am a character with character, ambitious and sometimes impulsive, although over the years one becomes ‘domesticated’ and learning from mistakes. But you must never lose your identity and believe. I recently read: ‘There will always be someone who doubts you, just make sure that person is not you.’
Sanz also wanted to thank Kern Pharma for the opportunity they have given him in what has been their last professional team. “I would like to thank all the people who have been directly involved in my professional career and I hope not to forget any of them. Thank Raúl Díaz Varela, Manuel Garrido and everyone who makes up Kern Pharma & Finisher for trusting and betting on this human group. They deserve a sponsor as close and honorable as yours. Since my farewell I emphasize that everyone, absolutely everyone, is delighted to wear your brand “.